Fresh air

The surprising soundof Cordel das Fitas.

I was unprepared for Cordel das Fitas. The disc arrived in early May, I popped it into the CD player, and its remained there ever since. I listen to it several times a day, and its freshness never ceases to amaze me.

Cordel das Fitas is the brainchild of guitarist Luiz Flavio Alcofra and bandolinista Lenildo Gomes, who wrote and arranged all the songs between the two of them. Lenildo Gomes is a member of the samba-choro group Dobrando a Esquina, from which he recruited singer Lucio Sanfilippo. Pandeirista Clarice Magalhães came from the group Choro na Feira.

Together they create a sound so unusual that I was hard-put to place it in any known context. The combination of Sanfilippos minstrel-like voice, the often startling lyrics, and the far-from-obvious instrumental arrangements left me tongue-tied. Eventually I took the easy way out and asked the composers to describe the songs. They didnt say nearly as much as Id hoped, but their brief comments should provide some idea of the delights that are in store for the listener.

O Alfaiate e a Donzela (samba). A tribute to the singer and composer Walter Alfaiate, representative figure of carioca samba who is both sambista and tailor, and whom the members of Cordel often accompany in his shows. Guest appearances by Paulino Dias & Pretinho (percussion). Arrangement by Luiz Flavio Alcofra.

Desamparada (samba). An urban chronicle based on everyday stresses that at times can appear like sheer insanity and nonsense. Guest appearances by Pretinho & Paulino Dias. Arrangement by Lenildo Gomes.

Pra Não Ficar Triste (choro-canção). This song has a seresta influence. The theme has to do with romantic crises, the ends of relationshipsideas often used in serestas. Guest appearances by Flanklin da Flauta (flute) and Kiko Horta (accordion). Arrangement by Lenildo Gomes.

Oré Moreira (jongo). A tribute to Wilson Moreira, one of the most respected samba melodists and also a jongo composer. Note Lenildos counterpoints on the bandolim, Pretinhos moringa, and Clarice Magalhães second voice. Arrangement by Lenildo & Luiz Flavio.

Velho Casarão (valsa brasileira). Possessing a Nazarethian aspect, this waltz, influenced by Fantastic Realism, has as its subject the abandoned old mansions of Rio de Janeiro. It is ably interpreted by Mariana Bernardes. Guest appearance by Rui Alvim (clarinet). Arrangement by Luiz Flavio Alcofra.

Cinema Absurdo (choro-canção). A song in minor key and two parts. It deals with the imaginary relationship between a fan and a movie star. This choro used to be an instrumental and received lyrics at a later date. Arrangement by Lenildo Gomes.

O Dono da Venda (samba). This humorous samba describes the conflicts between musicians and nightclub owners. This type of composition is often used in rodas de samba as a way of sending a message without revealing the identity of the target and is known as samba endereçado. Guest appearances by Paulino Dias & Pretinho. Arrangement by Lenildo Gomes.

Cordel das fitas (canção). The lyrics are inspired by the meter of the cordel poetry practiced in the Brazilian northeast. The melody (composed later) harks back to the Renaissance troubadours and minstrels along the model of Cantigas de Amigo and is inspired by the songs of Elomar. Arrangement by Luiz Flavio Alcofra.

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Noturna (valsa brasileira). The lyrics trace the images of old serenades in Rio de Janeiro. The melody, inspired by Guinga, attempts to build on the anguish and lyricism of the words in a chromatic movement with no fixed key. A dense atmosphere is created through the dialog of instruments of differing timbres and textures, like bass clarinet and bandolim. Guest appearance by Rui Alvim (bass clarinet). Arrangement by Luiz Flavio Alcofra.

Rio, por um Dia (samba). An homage to the city of Rio de Janeiro and to the lyricist Aldir Blanc, who is Luiz Flavio and Jayme Vignolis co-author in Bolinhos de Bacalhais (recorded by Walter Alfaiate) and Volante de Contenção (recorded by Nadinho da Ilha). We decided to close the disc with this song as a way of reconciling the various genres and sonorities found in the carioca songbook. Note Kiko Hortas accordion and Paulino Dias cuíca. Arrangement by Luiz Flavio Alcofra.